Highly integrated reliable architectural radio system for maritime application

Abstract

A wireless unlicensed band radio system for use in maritime applications is provided comprising three sector antennas providing a minimum of 120 degrees coverage (3 dB point) which combine to achieve 360 degrees of continuous coverage. Each antenna has its own amplification path so as to improve the performance of the communication link. The system can use any commercially available unlicensed band radios, which typically have only two RF ports (primary and secondary). In order to incorporate the three antenna signals, a passive two-way power divider is incorporated in the primary port to provide driving signals to two of the three antennae. The secondary port is connected to the third antenna. A solid state transmit and receive amplification unit is incorporated in each of the antenna paths, which serves to amplify the signal and switch between transmit and receive operations. All of the sector antenna, amplification units, unlicensed band radio and DC power conditioning circuitry are enclosed inside an environmentally sealed radome, which offers protection against the harsh saltwater environment and direct solar loading, thus minimizing component failure due to saltwater exposure and excessive thermal stress. The system also utilizes CAT-5 cable for data connection which cable does not have the distance limitation of conventionally used coaxial cable.

1 . A wireless unlicensed band radio system for use in maritime applications, said system comprising at least three sector antennas configured so as to provide continuous coverage in 360 degrees of rotation, said antennas each being connected to a wireless fidelity radio and serving to transmit and receive information from and to said radio.  
   
   
       2 . The wireless radio architecture of  claim 1 , wherein each of said sector antennas provides a minimum of 120 degrees of coverage.  
   
   
       3 . The wireless radio architecture of  claim 2 , wherein each of said antennas are configured at a 120 degree angular separation from the other two antennas.  
   
   
       4 . The wireless radio architecture of  claim 2 , wherein said wireless unlicensed band radio includes a primary RF port and a secondary RF port, and further including a passive two-way power divider incorporated in said primary RF port.  
   
   
       5 . The wireless radio architecture of  claim 4 , wherein two of said antennas are connected to said power divider and the third of said antennas is connected to said secondary RF port, wherein said power divider and said secondary RF port each provide driving signals to said antennas.  
   
   
       6 . The wireless radio architecture of  claim 2 , wherein each of said antennas is connected to said wireless unlicensed band radio by a separate amplification path.  
   
   
       7 . The wireless radio architecture of  claim 6 , further including a solid state transmit and receive amplification unit incorporated in each of said amplification paths.  
   
   
       8 . The wireless radio architecture of  claim 7 , wherein said transmit and receive amplification units comprise a transmitter, a receiver and a solid state switch for selecting the operation of said transmitter and said receiver.  
   
   
       9 . The wireless radio architecture of  claim 8 , further including a voltage converter to supply the proper bias condition for said wireless unlicensed band radio.  
   
   
       10 . The wireless radio architecture of  claim 9 , further including power distribution circuitry, said circuitry directing DC power to said amplification units and said voltage converter.  
   
   
       11 . The wireless radio architecture of  claim 10 , wherein said sector antennas, said amplification units, said wireless fidelity radio, and said power distribution circuitry are all enclosed within an environmentally sealed radome.  
   
   
       12 . The wireless radio architecture of  claim 11 , wherein said wireless unlicensed band radio is connected to a network interface by means of two sets of CAT-5 cable.  
   
   
       13 . The wireless radio architecture of  claim 11 , wherein said DC power is distributed to said amplification units and said voltage converter by a single pair of shielded 12 gauge wire.  
   
   
       14 . A wireless radio architecture for use in maritime applications, said system comprising: 
 a wireless unlicensed band radio, wherein said wireless unlicensed band radio includes a primary RF port and a secondary RF port, and further including a passive two-way power divider incorporated in said primary RF port;    at least three sector antennas configured so as to provide continuous coverage in 360 degrees of rotation, wherein each of said sector antennas provides a minimum of 120 degrees of coverage, configured at a 120 degree angular separation from the other two antennas, said antennas each being connected to said wireless unlicensed band radio by a separate amplification path, wherein two of said antennas are connected to said power divider and the third of said antennas is connected to said secondary RF port, wherein a solid state transmit and receive amplification unit is incorporated in each of said amplification paths, said unit comprising a transmitter, a receiver and a solid state switch for selecting the operation of said transmitter and said receiver; and    an environmentally sealed radome within which said sector antennas, said amplification units and said wireless unlicensed band radio are enclosed and protected.